Atlanta, GA – Today, the Freedom Coalition for Charter Schools (FCCS) recognized six charter school leaders and 11 lawmakers for their deep commitment to and passion for providing families with high-quality educational options.
“We are in an education crisis where all options to quality public schools should be made available, but too often good schools do not exist in marginalized communities,” said Janel “Jay” Artis-Wright, Executive Director of FCCS. “We recognize the contributions of leaders who are true champions for children. They are making sure families have access to great schools, including charter schools that have shown specific academic success for Black and Brown students. We need to support this success and replicate it.”
The event also provided school leaders and lawmakers the opportunity to discuss how charter school policies – including facilities funding and authorizing – directly impact teaching and learning in schools and how they can be strengthened to better support students.
“We wanted to make space today for school leaders and elected leaders to come together around today’s most pressing education issues. Working together we can create a more equitable and responsive public school system that prioritizes the needs of all students, especially our Black and Brown,” continued Artis-Wright. “This collaboration is essential for creating positive and lasting change that benefits our students and communities.”
FCCS is a nationwide coalition of Black and Brown public charter schools and education organizations that promotes equitable access to quality public school options for Black and Brown families.
The charter school leader award recipients are:
Dr. Kelly Gunn, Executive Director, ,Kindezi Schools
Emanuel Mathis, Principal, ,KIPP Woodson Park
Pamela Dingle, Executive Director, ,Utopian Academy for the Arts
Crystal Monique Felix-Clarke, CEO/Principal, ,Dekalb Path Academy
Arthur Washington, Principal, ,KIPP Atlanta Collegiate
Shelley Leger, Principal, ,Skyview High School
The lawmaker award recipients are:
Representative Doreen Carter
Representative Scott Hilton
Representative Sheila Jones
Representative Mesha Mainor
Representative Angela Moore
Representative Mandisha Thomas
Former State Representative Rahn Mayo
Former State Representative Alisha Thomas Searcy
Former State Representative Valencia Stovall
State Senator Sonya Halpern
State Senator Donzella James